More than 200 farmers descended on Castleisland Mart on Tuesday evening for the second Irish Farmers Journal/AXA Insurance spring health management mart meeting.

The mood among suckler farmers in the area was one of concern and frustration.

Michael Murphy

Killarney, Co Kerry

“We keep about 20 to 25 cows and we will just be sticking at those numbers for the minute. There is a lot of negativity around beef, especially with the uncertainty around prices.

“I sold cattle recently and I was hoping they would do a lot better. They’re back €100/head on last year. Hopefully the Beef Plan Movement gets going. There are 17,000 members and I hope there will be a lot more. We won’t be applying for the BEEP scheme either –it’s not worth it.”

John Murphy

Rathmore, Co Kerry

“The price is bad now and it’s been bad for a lot of 2018 but the worst thing is we don’t know what is up ahead. I’m a part-time suckler farmer and I’m very happy to have the job. Suckling is costing me money really. I won’t be joining the BEEP scheme either. I’ve only a small herd and it’s not worth getting in a scales. I know farm groups are fighting hard for €200 per cow but for the minister to come back with €40 simply isn’t enough.”

Danny O’Mahony

Castleisland, Co Kerry

“The suckling side of farming is gone. The dairy industry can produce what we are producing and those cheaper cuts seem to be what people want now. There should be no such thing as support in my opinion.

“Farmers should be paid fairly for their produce and then we would see how much people want to support it. Right now, the Government is using Brexit as an excuse but they should be doing something themselves. The same with the farm organisations. There is very little will to do anything.”